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Tag Archives: Christian

Prompted from a friend’s post, I am also blogging about the ever approach Christmas holiday and the big, jolly fat man: Santa.

I don’t believe in Santa, so shoot me. Obviously, since I am an adult, I know I am not expected to believe in Santa, but I feel the weight of society hanging around my neck expecting me to perpetuate the myth of Old Saint Nick. Guess what? I’m not going to do it.

As a child I knew who Santa was, but I didn’t believe he was some magical man who came down our non-existent chimney loaded with “toys and goodies”. I never felt deprived in any way. All of my presents had a name associated with them. This one was from Aunt so-and-so, here’s one from Uncle Billy bob, these are from mommy and daddy. And I received them with joy and gratitude. I said “thank you” to the gift giver and even wrote out thank you notes. (or drew pictures when I was younger). I still watched all the favorite holiday cartoons. My favorite was “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”. But, it was just a nice story. I didn’t need it to be true.

So, why am I writing out this long vent about not “believing”. I am just getting DARN tired of always having to explain and justify myself. I am tired of being frowned upon for my kids not growing up in a “santa” home. Why is it such a big deal?

If you want to believe or have your kids believe, go ahead. I don’t care. Celebrate Santa all you want, but don’t try to guilt me into following your commercialized tradition. It’s not like I am all “anti-santa” and I am not going to go up to your kid and say, “Guess what? Santa isn’t REAL!” I don’t care if I use a santa napkin at Christmas dinner, or if I get pictures of santa on my Christmas cards.

But for our house, we will not be writing letters to the North Pole, and we will not pose for pictures with a guy dressed up in a red suit at the mall. I’m sure we will still sing all the favorite Christmas carols, and we’ll probably decorate reindeer shaped christmas cookies. But please, do me a favor, and stop trying to make my kid believe Santa Claus is really watching whether they’ve “been naughty or nice”.

I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday by far. And my kids will know Saint Nick, you know the real “santa”, the generous historical figure, but he or the magical version is not the center of our holiday. If that makes me a Scrooge, than “bah hum bug” to you!

A verse that I have been trying to meditate on for the past several months is from Philippians 4:8. You know, it’s the one that has “whatever is pure, whatever is noble, think about such things.” Because, what we think about becomes our actions, our character, who we are…

I want to be a good wife, a good mother, and a wise woman. To achieve these goals I need to be careful with my thoughts. If I let negative and complaining thoughts into my mind, then they will carry over into my actions. Sometimes I need to give myself a mental shake and tell myself “Hey, cut that out! Replace that negative thought with something lovely!”

If you are a mom, you know what I am talking about! It is so easy to think, “My kid is driving me crazy! If I hear one more cry I am going to looooose it!”

Or if you are a wife, “If that man leaves his dirty clothes on the floor one more time!”

It is easy to get caught up in the little annoyances.

Give yourself a good mental shake. Count your blessings. Say something positive, outloud even, if you have to! “My kids are driving me crazy! BUT, I love them! They are wonderful, they are a blessing, my life would be empty without them!” And give your husband grace because I’m sure there are a ton of things you do that annoy him too! Sure, you can address the annoyance, but do it respectfully and with an attitude of love. (Don’t complain about it!) “Honey, I would really appreciate if you could make those dirty clothes find their way to the laundry basket.”

When my Sweet C gets up in the morning I sing a little line of “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!” Choosing joy in the morning will set to mood of the whole day. Circumstances may cloud up the sun, but thinking about what is true and admirable helps refocus on the bigger picture: God is good and gave me a good life. I want to be a good wife, a good mother, and a wise woman and thinking negatively/ complaining will not get me there.

What goal do you want in your life, what is an obstacle, and how will you overcome?